PA Plastics SourceNet Symposium
Mr. Peter C. O’Neill
Mr. Peter C. O’Neill is executive director of the Center for Trade Development (CTD) in the Department of Community and Economic Development. O’Neill oversees the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s export promotion programs, services, and network of 10 in-state regional partners and 24 foreign offices, the largest and most comprehensive trade promotion program in the country. CTD’s mission is to expand the reach and capability of Pennsylvania’s exporting community with a particular focus on small to mid-sized businesses. In 2009, export sales facilitated by CTD were in excess of $454 million, with 275 clients reporting.
From 1994 to 2004, O’Neill served as director of the State of Maryland’s Office of International Business, where he was responsible for planning and executing the state’s export assistance programs. He has counseled the business community on international market opportunities with a specific focus on northern Asia and the Arab Gulf states. He has led state trade missions throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and has worked closely with Maryland environmental technology firms seeking market assistance in markets throughout Asia.
Prior to joining state government, O’Neill provided project management and training support to a US defense contractor and a computer systems integrator in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under modernization programs of the Saudi Arabian Ministries of Defense and Aviation, Finance and National Economy, and the Royal Saudi Air Force.
In addition to receiving his BS in international relations from the University of California at Davis and a master’s of international management from the University of Maryland University College, he has studied developmental economics and Arabic at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.